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Searching for 1939 Packard Convertible (Model 1700, Subclass 1289) to purchase

This particular 1939 Packard Six Convertible Coupe (Model 1700, Body Style 1289) was purchased by my
father and originally delivered to Citizen's Motor Car Company in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1939. I am
trying to locate this vehicle or a similar one. Maybe someone has information about its history or current whereabouts.
Identifying details:
- VIN starts with: 1289
- Last four digits likely between 2000-3500
- Data plate would show original delivery to Cincinnati
This photo shows the car around the time it was originally owned. If you recognize this vehicle, know
someone who might have owned it, or are aware of its current location, please get in touch.

I examined this photo and your dad's Packard was actually a 1938 model (16th Series) Six and not a 1939 (17th Series). The hood sides differ between the two years/series. The 1938 hood sides had straight louvres while the louvres on the 1939's were scallop shaped. The '39 hood sides on the Six also had thin chrome trim strips above and below the side louvres which were not used on the '38's.

See the photo of my (former) 1939 Six which was taken from about the same angle as the photo you posted of your dad's car.

There are some other noticeable differences between the 1938 and 1939 Packards, including:

Transmission: '38's still used the floor shifter whereas the '39's were the first year for column shift (Packard called it Handi-Shift, but in my experience, it was anything but. I hated it).

Dashboard and garnish molding color: The dashboard and garnish moldings were painted a silver color in the '38's. In the '39's they were wood-grained.

Taillight assemblies: The '38 taillights had a red glass jewel set on top of the housing. These were removed for 1939. 1939 and 1940 Junior model Packards use the same taillight assemblies.

Upholstery pattern. Packard typically changed its interior design every series or model year and there are significant differences between 1938 and 1939. The 1938 interiors used a rather plain pattern for the seat cushions, with only a few horizontal lines stitched into the upper seat backs. The 1939 models had wide pleats in both the upper and lower seat cushions.

There are some other differences between the 16th and 17th series cars, but these are the major ones.

Regarding finding a car, both 1938 and 1939 Six Convertible Coupes are extremely scarce, with the 1938's being even scarcer. I do not recall ever seeing a 1938 in person, though I have seen one or two online over the years. As you know, I did own a '39 until quite recently and have seen a few others. There was an exceptionally nice one I saw in the Hershey car corral a number of years ago which was an AACA National Award winner.

Wish you luck in your search. Just watch out for rust. The Packards from these years typically have significant rust issues and more than a few of the ones I have looked at, including mine, were loaded with bondo. But before I bought mine, I found another '39 Six that was even worse. This car literally had more bondo than body. In some places, the fenders were several inches thick!

Attach file:

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  1939_Six_Conv_sideview1.jpg (2,754.42 KB)

Thanks for the info. I had speculated that it could be a 1938, but didn't have specifics to discern.

I have a 39 Convertinle coupe 6 cylinder project that might be of interest if you have some mechanical skills or someone to assist .
I,purchased the car in 2018 from a local gentleman who had owned it for around 25 years. He started dismantling the car for restoration and never got much done.
My friend and body/ paint man was working on a 41 and found the car which he thought would be a fun project.
The car had been restored..sort of…probably 30-40 years ago but the work was not great.
We stripped the car to bare metal and primed it in urethane. The engine was removed and rebuilt.
While waiting for the engine to be rebuilt. Most of the chrome was replated including grill louvers, top latches, rear jump seat brackets and dash chrome. The dash was woodgrained with the door frames .
New floor was secured, installed and treated with POR 15. The gas tank what’s replaced with new fuel,line and electric inline pump.
When the engine was returned, a new wire harness was secured, dash reworked and most of front harness installed with elimination of regulator due to installation of altenator that looks like generator. The carb was rebuilt , brakes redone with new master cylinder. Interior refurbish started with burgundy vinyl.
Work stopped due to loss of my two friends who worked on car
I paid $8000:for,the car and $4000 for the engine rebuild.
Would take that number in hope someone would finish the car rather than parting it out.
Door bottoms need finished and monor work needed on body itself but fenders and rest of metal is solid. I have insulation kit for floors, all new Steele rubber pieces hose,carpeting, and wind lace….even have perfect hood ornament to finish it off.

If interested call me (814) 248-9140
RJRussell

You’ll get nowhere without lots of photos.

ewrecks,

If the '39 Six Convertible Coupe is this one could you please advise when/if it is 'sold', so the Registry entry can be upated?